Vick makes low-key return for Eagles

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) -- Michael Vick, jailed for 18 months after being convicted of bankrolling a dogfighting ring, returned to professional football on Thursday night with a low-key pre-season performance for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vick, who played as quarterback in the first quarter only, attempted and completed four passes to gain 19 yards in the Eagles' 33-32 victory in their third pre-season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Eagles fans rose from their seats and cheered Vick's first appearance on the field just two minutes into the game, and there was little sign of crowd hostility thereafter.

"I didn't think it was going to be that positive," Vick told reporters.

"I was listening to see what the reaction was going to be and I was very pleased."

NO PROTESTS

After being formally dumped by the Atlanta Falcons in June, Vick's two-year contract with the Eagles divided football pundits and prompted some Philadelphia fans to say they would stop supporting the team.

However, fans gave the three-times All-Pro warm encouragement throughout the game, and rumors of opposing demonstrations by animal-rights protesters and pro-Vick supporters outside Lincoln Financial Field failed to materialize.

With his second play some 15 minutes into the game, Vick, wearing the No. 7 jersey, made just one yard and was easily blocked by the Jacksonville defense.

But he completed a pass that led to a field goal by Eagles kicker David Akers and participated in six plays in the first quarter.

Vick, convicted of conspiracy charges in an interstate dogfighting ring and handed a 23-month sentence in 2007, said he was about 70 percent fit and looking forward to getting into "tip-top" shape.

"The easy part was going out there on the football field," said Vick, who had a Virginia court hearing on Thursday at which a judge approved a plan him to emerge from personal bankruptcy.

"Some things worked, some things didn't," he said of his game. "It was just the excitement of being out there."

Eagles head coach Andy Reid praised fans for their warm welcome of the 29-year-old, who had not played an NFL game since 2006.

"I thought everybody reacted well," Reid said. "I didn't see anything negative. People were excited to see him out there."

Reid said he had accomplished what he wanted to in Vick's first game with the Eagles.

"I wanted to get him in five to 10 snaps, just to get him back into the swing of things."

The first overall pick in the 2001 draft, Vick was once one of the NFL's most popular and exciting players.

But his stunning fall from grace unfolded in 2007 when police raided his rural Virginia property and found evidence of dogfighting.

He was released from jail in May and was conditionally reinstated by the NFL last month.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week Six of the regular season.

(Editing by Ian Ransom)